Australian Chamber Orchestra Acquires Rare 1610 Maggini Viola for $3 Million

A Historic Addition to the Collection

The Australian Chamber Orchestra has acquired a 1610 Maggini viola for approximately $3 million, adding another world-class instrument to a collection that already includes two Stradivari violins and a Guarnerius. The viola was purchased in New York and will be played by principal violist Stefanie Farrands.

Giovanni Paolo Maggini, a contemporary of the Amati family and predecessor to Stradivari, built instruments in Brescia, Italy during the early 17th century. His violas are prized for their distinctive, dark tonal quality and are exceptionally rare on the market.

"I Didn't Know What I Was Missing"

Farrands described her first encounter with the instrument in visceral terms. Upon placing the viola on her collarbone, she was overcome by the resonance and quality of sound it produced. The bond, she said, was immediate and profound — she hadn't realized what she was missing until the Maggini was in her hands.

The emotional reaction speaks to something that non-musicians may find difficult to understand: the relationship between a string player and their instrument is deeply personal. A great instrument doesn't just produce better sound — it responds to the player's intentions in ways that transform what is musically possible.

The Economics of Rare Instruments

The $3 million price tag, while substantial, sits within the range for instruments of this caliber and provenance. The market for rare Italian string instruments has appreciated steadily over the past two decades, with top-tier instruments increasingly held by foundations, orchestras, and private collectors who loan them to performers.

For the ACO, the acquisition reflects both an investment in the ensemble's sound and a commitment to keeping historically significant instruments in active musical use rather than in private vaults. The orchestra funded the purchase through the sale of another instrument in its collection.

The Maggini viola joins a growing trend of ensembles building instrument collections that outlast any individual player — ensuring that world-class tools remain available to the musicians who can bring them to life.